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Brisbane star joins rare air as Lions sweep Swans: 2024 Gary Ayres Award votes – Grand Final

The Lions champ’s resume is starting to rival the game’s best.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale has added another piece of silverware to his cabinet after a stellar grand final performance against Sydney secured the 2024 Gary Ayres medal for best finals player.

Neale, along with teammate Dayne Zorko, were trailing behind Sydney star Isaac Heeney as the most likely winners following Saturday's match, despite the decider's 1.5x loading.

Heeney's less-than-modest outing saw the award up for grabs, which the two-time Brownlow medallist snatched, as well as the premiership medallion following the 60-point victory at the MCG.

Will Ashcroft joined Neale on 13.5 votes (9x1.5) while goalkickers Callum Ah Chee (7.5 votes) and Kai Lohmann (6) featured also.

Not a single Swans player received a vote from the coaches.

Sydney vs Brisbane

(AFL Grand Final votes issued will receive 1.5 times loading)

13.5 - Will Ashcroft (BL)
13.5 - Lachie Neale (BL)
7.5 - Callum Ah Chee (BL)
6 - Kai Lohmann (BL)
3 - Brandon Starcevich (BL)
1.5 - Joe Daniher (BL)

2024 Gary Ayres LEADERBOARD

VOTES PLAYER CLUB
26.5 Lachie Neale Brisbane
20 Isaac Heeney Sydney
18.5 Will Ashcroft Brisbane
15 Jai Newcombe Hawthorn
15 Dayne Zorko Brisbane
12.5 Callum Ah Chee Brisbane
10 Jase Burgoyne Port Adelaide
10 Max Holmes Geelong
9 Hugh McCluggage Brisbane

 

Gary Ayres medal previous winners

YEAR PLAYER CLUB
2023 Sam Walsh (23) Carlton
2022 Patrick Dangerfield (22) Geelong
2021 Jack Macrae (25) Western Bulldogs
2020 Dustin Martin (28) Richmond
2019 Dustin Martin (19) Richmond
2018 Steele Sidebottom (23) Collingwood
2017 Dustin Martin (25) Richmond
2016 Josh Kennedy (18) Sydney
Published by
Aidan Cellini